Blog

August 8, 2009

All the families are in need of more linens, kitchen supplies, laundry detergent and other soaps and cleaning supplies. They also need vacuum cleaners and additional furniture.

Our first family is from Bhutan. They are a mother and father in their late thirties with two daughters, ages 14 and 10, and their grandmother living with them. We had a very nice visit with the father who speaks English well. He grew up in Bhutan and went through 12 years of schooling where he also learned English. His father was a rice farmer and they had a nice large house and a nice life there. He is the eldest of nine children. In 1991, he had to leave Bhutan with his family. They went to Nepal via India and lived in the refugee camp since then. He met his wife there and they married in 1993. In the camp he was a teacher and his wife worked for the Red Cross and other organizations helping refugees. He told us the exact time and date they arrived here in the U.S. He has a very positive attitude and says he loves the United States from his inner heart because there is no war here and they can live in peace. He has been able to get a job and just started working. The girls need school supplies and would like to have a computer. They are grateful for anything and everything they receive.

Our second family is from Burma. We had no interpreter and were unable to get a story. They are a 36 year old father, 29 year old mother, 4 daughters ages 13, 10, 5, and 2, and a son age 8. The mother seemed a little worried, but the children relaxed and had beautiful smiles. The father was away taking driving lessons. They were able to indicate they would like to have an American flag and a soccer ball. They also need school supplies. They would like to have bikes and we didn’t see any toys.

Our third family is also from Burma. Again we had a last minute interpreter who was not able to help translate very much. The family consists of parents in their late thirties and five boys ages 18, 16, 12, 8 and 3. The eldest boy was born in Burma. When he was very little they fled to Thailand where they lived in a refugee camp until their arrival here in April. They said no other countries would take them but the United States said yes. Their parents were at English classes. The boys would like toys, soccer balls, etc. The 16 year old would like a guitar. They also need school supplies.